Appropriate etiquette

[Mad Russian]

Here are some of my thoughts on playtesting etiquette...they are by no means all inclusive. Just some things to think about.

As the designer:

1) Don't take whatever a playtester says personally. They are not attacking your work but giving you their opinion. They have taken time away from whatever else they were going to be doing to try to help YOU the designer with your work.

For instance, when I playtest I look at the scenario as mine and make suggestions what I would do if it were mine. I tell everyone that upfront.

2) If you don't want feedback don't ask for it. If you put a scenario in a playtesting area or site you are more than likely going to get feedback. Don't take playtesting and discussions about a scenario personally unless they actually tell you that you're stupid. (I've been told that and at this point I'm thinking they may be right....) It's not the smartest thing in the world to insult your playtesters or try to "One Up" them with why your scenario is the greatest CM scenario in the world. It may be but the guy your berating is the guy you asked to give you his opinion. When he does take it or leave it. Your choice.

3) Do with the suggestions, made to you, whatever you've decided is in the best interest of your scenario. At the end of the day the scenario belongs to YOU. Not the playtester.

4) List all playtesters in the main briefing of your scenario as a sign of respect and thanks for the time they gave you.

5) Have a good time. Alot of very close friendships have developed over the years from playtesting. You may even start your own small playtesting group with those you feel have the same general feeling about your work that you do. That seem to "understand" what you're trying to accomplish.

CM Websites kind of fall under the small group category. They are usually much smaller than The Proving Grounds and yet have enough playtesters that they get a good response and enough interest to provide good feedback.

Hope this helps.


Good Luck and Good Hunting.

MR